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A Columbus school-bus driver caught driving her route with an open bottle of Canadian Mist
whiskey pleaded guilty yesterday to misdemeanor charges of drunken driving and endangering
children.

Tia Denton, 51, of Linwood Avenue on the Near East Side, wouldn’t comment after the plea hearing
in Franklin County Municipal Court. A charge of having an open container of alcohol was
dropped.

Denton’s attorney, Eric R. Nordman, said his client has not had treatment for alcoholism but
will enter a program. Nordman would not discuss the case but said he would make a statement
later.

Visiting Judge Nodine Miller set Denton’s sentencing for 10 a.m. on Feb. 4. Denton could be sent
to jail for six months, and her driving privileges could be suspended.

Denton quit her bus-driving job last week. She had been hired in the summer and previously
worked for First Student, the private busing contractor used by the Columbus district before it
began running its own busing program again this year.

Denton was charged on Nov. 25 after being stopped by Columbus police on her afternoon South Side
bus route carrying children from Southwood Elementary. Parents and school transportation workers
reported her erratic driving, and her bus was tracked until she could be stopped. Two children were
aboard, both unhurt.

Police said Denton told them she had two beers and a cup of whiskey before driving her route. A
breath-analysis test recorded a 0.216 percent blood-alcohol level. In Ohio, a driver is considered
drunk at 0.08 percent.

Denton has had minor traffic infractions in Franklin County, including charges of failure to
control and driving with an expired license.